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[Astray]

I think they rode the coat tails of R* and figured it'd be okay.

Nobody makes decisions on manufacturing lines like that. What they are doing with the repurposing of plants is expensive and time-consuming. Decision likely had to have been signed off by Totoki himself.

My guess is they basically don't want to be left holding the bag if/when Physical reaches %5 of total sales, which is coming sooner or later. Consumers overwhelmingly chose digital.

 

[Astray]

aren't they repurposing the factories for AI instead of discs? that definitely suggests a top-down move since PlayStation wouldn't benefit from AI but Sony itself would

Microlenses basically are involved in anything lasers are afaik.

This is bigger than just AI. They can use the plants for camera sensors (one of their biggest business lines btw).

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

Entertainment trinkets and personal vehicles have the same consumers expectations around them?

Everything you pay for should have the same consumer ownership expectations.

 

[Clear]

aren't they repurposing the factories for AI instead of discs?

Optical sensors I believe.

 

[spookyfish]

And this is where competition matters. If Xbox wasn't a complete fuckfest, this is their play:

20 second clip: 'How to play your physical games next generation'....Xbox logo surrounded by a collage of physical Helix game cases

Honestly, this may have been planned a long time, but it's because Xbox is too busy playing grab-ass with itself that Sony dropped this when they did. Now the "news" cycle will just be about how Microsoft is imploding.

 

[Majukun]

well, they killed physical media FOR THEIR OWN GAMES thus far...nothing that should concern partners.
Of course this likely means also a ps6 without disk drive, but tbh publishers are probably gonna love that since it allows them to make the step while taking none of the heat.

 

[A.Romero]

Most big publishers have already abandoned physical distribution for PC games.

I don't think it would make any difference Sony letting publishers know they are doing away with discs. Even if they disagreed, Sony would have gone ahead and do it anyway because they are using the factory for something else more profitable.

Personally I really doubt publishers are that invested in physical media, specially when seeing success on PC and how GTAVI us toping charts all around the world.

 

[meech]

Not having this option could cost them both sales, at least early in the game's life.

Exactly, a lot more gamers would wait for a significant discount instead. But a lot of "suits" are greedy and stupid.

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

Just let the discs die already! Mechanical drives are a thing of the past.

Go back when you will understand someday the real problem well beyond simply stopping "Mechanical drives"

Prepare your praised digital future of nothing.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Optical sensors I believe.

Surveillance state goes vrrroooommmmmm

 

[FoxMcChief]

I wonder when Sony will require a larger cut for each game. You know that's coming.

 

[Clear]

Surveillance state goes vrrroooommmmmm

Probably more like mobile phones and cars, you know those personal tracking/surveillance devices that people buy!

 

[chromhound]

 

[DeepEnigma]

Probably more like mobile phones and cars, you know those personal tracking/surveillance devices that people buy!

And Flock "safety" cameras tied into those "AI data centers, totally bros"

 

[reinking]

Why would they tell them? It would have leaked 10 minutes after the notices went out. While I think it was one of the dumbest times to announce it, Sony wanted it coming from them.

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

Unfortunately the EU ain't gonna do shit. Something something let them monopolize game sales something something good for the environment.

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

18 months is plenty of time lol this article is crapola anyways.

It's just like their account closure, they litrelly give someone 42 months from start to finish before terminating your account which is more than enough of a grace period, let's not try to just find reasons to be mad... It gets so old

 

[Clear]

And Flock "safety" cameras tied into those "AI data centers, totally bros"

I was watching a thing the other day where they were showing usb cables that looked like normal bog-standard ones, but actually contained keyloggers and their own wi-fi stack... Its shocking how vulnerable we all are to intentional attack!

 

[calico]

'There is no downside for publishers'

The downside is if they sell fewer copies as a result.

'Publishers are ecstatic about this'

If 'no physical' is that beneficial for them, they could have been doing that already by choice.

 

[bitbydeath]

Not sure how a change to the sales structure of games doesn't affect the makers of said games, but ok.

With that said, hasn't it always been the publishers pushing for the all-digital future as a way of ending used games?

Sales structure of PlayStation games only.
What would that change for anyone else?

 

[DeepEnigma]

'There is no downside for publishers'

The downside is if they sell fewer copies as a result.

'Publishers are ecstatic about this'

If 'no physical' is that beneficial for them, they could have been doing that already by choice.

Big publishers love this. Just like they loved the always online DRM in 2013.

Don't let them fool you, and it's a side effect of industry consolidation, as it always is.

They loathe second hand sales.

 

[simpatico]

'There is no downside for publishers'

The downside is if they sell fewer copies as a result.

Not much chance of that happening. The lost sales from principled disc bros with be eclipsed by the complete lack of a used game market. Have you seen how much GameStop brings in on used PlayStation games? That would all go to Sony and the publishers now. I estimate that figure surpasses the lost "principled disc bro" lost sales with relative ease.

 

[calico]

Big publishers love this. Just like they loved the always online DRM in 2013.

Don't let them fool you, and it's a side effect of industry consolidation, as it always is.

They loathe second hand sales.

They already have this option available to them, if they do indeed value killing second hand sales more highly than being able to make physical sales at all.

The lost sales from principled disc bros with be eclipsed by the complete lack of a used game market.

Then why have the publishers not made that choice themselves already?

That would all go to Sony and the publishers now.

This is a flawed assumption, given how dissimilar the options are in practice.

 

[simpatico]

Then why have the publishers not made that choice themselves already?


This is a flawed assumption, given how dissimilar the options are in practice.

Everybody saw what happened with the Bone and got scared. Once GTA VI broke the ice and Sony blew it open wider, I don't think you'll see any of the big publishers even comment on it. Nobody wants to be first. The response to Sony's tweet was not unexpected.

For the second part, who else is privy to the revenue sharing in the PS6 model? Sure GameStop might have some translucent blue cases with a code inside, but if you can't trade them in how long as people going to take that drive? I'd expect their PS physical market share to be decimated even if they are selling boxed codes. I think what's more likely is something akin to the Gift Card kiosk at Wal-Mart with some game cover art and a scratch off code. In which case you can be sure the revenue split is negotiated quite differently just because of floor space.

 

[midnightAI]

Now is the time, Asha Sharma. If you want to elevate Xbox, include a disc drive and physical media support. That would score major points in its favor

MS is already struggling financially, digital only benefits them also and they've been moving in that direction for quite some time

 

[mckmas8808]

aren't they repurposing the factories for AI instead of discs? that definitely suggests a top-down move since PlayStation wouldn't benefit from AI but Sony itself would

Exactly! I hope Sony gets sued to high heaven by 20 countries and are forced to keep making disc. Or come up with a real way to deal with a discless gaming economy.

 

[yogaflame]

I wonder when Sony will require a larger cut for each game. You know that's coming.

It will surely come sadly due to scummy nature of Sony right now, but they will surely face, left and right, class suit and regulatory commission investigations.

 

[mckmas8808]

Not much chance of that happening. The lost sales from principled disc bros with be eclipsed by the complete lack of a used game market. Have you seen how much GameStop brings in on used PlayStation games? That would all go to Sony and the publishers now. I estimate that figure surpasses the lost "principled disc bro" lost sales with relative ease.

Except Sony's digital store can't match Gamestop's used game prices. And that's the issue too. Sony is killing 10% of the gaming culture by eliminating used games. Why are they willing to lose 10% gaming revenue?

 

[DeepEnigma]

They already have this option available to them, if they do indeed value killing second hand sales more highly than being able to make physical sales at all.


Then why have the publishers not made that choice themselves already?


This is a flawed assumption, given how dissimilar the options are in practice.

I'm not buying for one second that the most of the publishers weren't in on this. We found out they were in on the DRM in 2013 well after using the platform to usher it in (or attempt to).

They're playing a game of chess. They knew the largest game event of all time was the Trojan Horse.

 

[simpatico]

Except Sony's digital store can't match Gamestop's used game prices. And that's the issue too. Sony is killing 10% of the gaming culture by eliminating used games. Why are they willing to lose 10% gaming revenue?

I think they don't expect to lose any revenue. The lost sales to disc only guys will be made back with no used sales. I don't think Donny Door Dash is going to not buy NCAA Football 27 because he can't save $5

 

[MMaRsu]

well, they killed physical media FOR THEIR OWN GAMES thus far...nothing that should concern partners.
Of course this likely means also a ps6 without disk drive, but tbh publishers are probably gonna love that since it allows them to make the step while taking none of the heat.

What.

They are stopping producing physical discs for anything, first AND third party in 2028.

 

[mckmas8808]

I think they don't expect to lose any revenue. The lost sales to disc only guys will be made back with no used sales. I don't think Donny Door Dash is going to not buy NCAA Football 27 because he can't save $5

Maybe not in the USA. But what about Brazil, Columbia, Bosnia, and many other 2nd world countries?

 

[calico]

Everybody saw what happened with the Bone and got scared. Once GTA VI broke the ice and Sony blew it open wider, I don't think you'll see any of the big publishers even comment on it. Nobody wants to be first. The response to Sony's tweet was not unexpected.

I don't think they need to comment on it. If publishers thought releasing physical was losing them money, they would have stopped already.

Rockstar evidently believes a physical release of GTA would lose them money, but I think they also have more reason to be bullish that people will go wherever they need to to get GTA, compared to other publishers.

For the second part, who else is privy to the revenue sharing in the PS6 model? Sure GameStop might have some translucent blue cases with a code inside, but if you can't trade them in how long as people going to take that drive? I'd expect their PS physical market share to be decimated even if they are selling boxed codes. I think what's more likely is something akin to the Gift Card kiosk at Wal-Mart with some game cover art and a scratch off code. In which case you can be sure the revenue split is negotiated quite differently just because of floor space.

The flaw is assuming all of the spending in that used market space will transfer over to PS store, when PS store will (presumably) not offer an option anything like it.

If you tell the person who is willing to spend $50 when they know they can later trade it in for $30 credit (or whatever it may be) that they can no longer do that and their only option is now to buy it new for $70 with zero resell value, it doesn't mean they're obliged to do it.

They're playing a game of chess. They knew the largest game event of all time was the Trojan Horse.

I think we'll see more physical releases on PS5 after GTA's release, and I think publishers will make that decision believing it to be more profitable for them than going digital only.

 

[Majukun]

What.

They are stopping producing physical discs for anything, first AND third party in 2028.

my bad then, I understood they stopped physical for THEIR releases, not third parties as well.
That indeed sounds like something that should have been communicated, although the second part of my post still stands, many publishers would be delighted at the change, especially since sony is shielding them from any complaint

 

[SportsFan581]

Sales structure of PlayStation games only.
What would that change for anyone else?

Sony DADC presses all Sony Playstation disks, regardless of whether or not it is first or third party. Unless they do something they've never done before and license outside sourcing, this change ends all physical PS games. But yeah, MS and PC aren't directly affected, sure. I was referring to selling games on PS.

 

[waquzy]

This is possibly planned by Sony and Rockstar this scummy killing of disc, full control on digital content, and sony's hunger for AI money by converting its blue ray factory into lenses use by AI farm. Sony lost allot of goodwill from its fan who bought and even fought for ps1 to ps5.

Sony don't give 2 shits about it mate!!!

 

[bitbydeath]

Sony DADC presses all Sony Playstation disks, regardless of whether or not it is first or third party. Unless they do something they've never done before and license outside sourcing, this change ends all physical PS games. But yeah, MS and PC aren't directly affected, sure. I was referring to selling games on PS.

I wasn't aware they were making discs for everyone. Strange they would throw all that extra money away.

 

[SportsFan581]

I wasn't aware they were making discs for everyone. Strange they would throw all that extra money away.

That's the way the console market has always worked. Whether it was Nintendo or Sega supplying all the cartridges in the 16bit era or the CDs. I think MS has been the only console maker that has put the responsibility of making the disks on the individual publishers. I'm sure they all loved MS for making every X1 disk a unique snowflake, LOL. It looks like they are finally putting that to use, though.

 

[bitbydeath]

That's the way the console market has always worked. Whether it was Nintendo or Sega supplying all the cartridges in the 16bit era or the CDs. I think MS has been the only console maker that has put the responsibility of making the disks on the individual publishers. I'm sure they all loved MS for making every X1 disk a unique snowflake, LOL. It looks like they are finally putting that to use, though.

I thought publishers would cover all that. Even if Sony only made an extra dollar (no doubt it would be more) on top of every 3rd party game sold it would have added up into the 10's if not 100's of millions per year.

I don't get why they would give that up.

 

[SportsFan581]

I thought publishers would cover all that. Even if Sony only made an extra dollar (no doubt it would be more) on top of every 3rd party game sold it would have added up into the 10's if not 100's of millions per year.

I don't get why they would give that up.

I guess they look at is as a loss, though. And it would be copy per copy. On the digital store they get 30%, the physical games they only net 12.something or 13% (someone listed the exact percentage earlier). They'd rather get the 30, haha.

 

[Buggy Loop]

Sony isn't the only manufacturer of 4k Blu Rays. Will the market continue to shrink? Yes. But 4k Blu Ray will hit Vinyl record status. The increase in quality and fidelity is clearly better than other formats; it'll justify a niche to exist. The cost may go up, but that's just how it goes.

Ok, dead*

*with a small margin of error

Big difference with vinyls and blu-ray is licensing and player manufacturers. Although very few studios will even bother I guess by then, It'll be to find a player since all major electronic manufacturers are discontinuing it or will. With consoles dropping it, it's a huge chunk of the market of 4k physical movies gone. Unlike Vinyls that had no concept of licenses/DRM and was relateively simple technology wise, 4K blu-ray licenses, FLLA costs and so on will likely just eventually not be supported. The board members are all movie/electronic giants, not indies. I'm sure one day they'll think its a cost optimization to kill that off. It is already shedding members and licensees.

 

[Matsuchezz]

Go back when you will understand someday the real problem well beyond simply stopping "Mechanical drives"

Prepare your praised digital future of nothing.

Own what? A piece of plastic that can be scratched and serves as a license. Fucking great!! It would be great that each time you buy a game the publisher gives you a plant. So, you can own something that serves a better purpose.

 

[Edgelord79]

I strongly doubt any major publishers are upset about this as they can now charge the same price with less overhead.

 

[Lord Malachite]

Seems like a lot of nonsense. I can't see a single publisher in this industry who would be against getting rid of discs, thus allowing them to stop lost sales from used/rental/loaned copies of a game and firmly setting the price that their games will sell for.

The only publisher who would balk at this is Limited Run Games, whose bread and butter is selling overpriced physical copies to the niche collector's market.

People still seem to labor under the illusions that Sony, Xbox, Nintendo, Valve, Epic, Rockstar, Capcom, EA, Ubisoft, or any of the other myriad publishers I can't be assed to mention are their friends. News flash--they are not your friends. They are mega corporations whose only goals are to increase profits and increase stock valuation.

Sony's stock has been on an upswing since the announcement. They're not concerned if they lose some customers as a result as they're looking at cost savings, profits from the digital marketplace, profits from repurposing their plants, and the overall apathy of the majority of gamers who don't make noise on social media and have already been all digital for years now.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

MS is already struggling financially, digital only benefits them also and they've been moving in that direction for quite some time

Then let it go bust, too... And while we're at it, let SEGA have its resurrection.

 

[Joe Cool]

I love how people are trying to defend this shit.

 

[Ozzie666]

Sony share holders are the only ones who benefit from this, killing the used game market is what they always wanted with full control.

Removing the competitive option, should be a fight from the people. Anyone who doesn't see this, or how terrible this is, your absolutely mad (actufally fucking crazy, worse than Jez) and you deserve the cloud future coming your way. Both should exist side by side, the amount of businesses that will go under wil be insane, all those stores you like to visit, forget about it.

Short sighted decision and stupid. There is still a market for physical music and movies/tv shows, which according to sources out there is the highest it's been in a decade. This is about choice people, wake up.

Hey guy's were going to make it illegal to drive manual cars on the road.